Community treatment orders for people with serious mental illness: a New Zealand study

A. Gibbs, J. Dawson and R. Mullen

British Journal of Social Work, vol.36, 2006, p.1085-1100

New Zealand’s mental health legislation permits the involuntary outpatient treatment of people with serious mental illness under Community Treatment Orders. This paper reports the results of a study of the views of service users, family members and mental health professionals on the impact of the regime. Most service users believed that the main purpose of the regime was to ensure that they took their medication. They also believed that the order gave them better access to other treatments, supported accommodation and care from mental health professionals. Families considered that the orders provided relief for them and a supportive structure for their relative’s care. Mental health professionals found the orders useful for engaging service users in a continuing therapeutic relationship, and for promoting treatment adherence.

International perspectives on the use of community treatment orders: implications for mental health social workers

J. Campbell and others

British Journal of Social Work, vol.36, 2006, p.1101-1118

This article presents a comparative study of the use of community treatment orders for people with serious mental illness in Victoria, Australia, Ontario, Canada and regions of the UK, examining aspects of law, policy and practice.

Promotion of mental health in developing countries: a conceptual system

B.S. Ali and R. Iftikhar

Primary Care Mental Health, vol.4, 2006, p.29-36

Mental health promotion is a complex and multi-disciplinary challenge which requires a multi-pronged approach. This article describes the positive influences on mental health of education, skill development, employment, availability of micro-credit facilities, increased social support, and respect for human rights. It also highlights the negative effects of lack of information, gender discrimination and stigmatisation of disabled people and suggests some possible methods of minimising these. The authors go on to develop a conceptual framework for mental health promotion based on a systems approach. The primary elements of a mental health system are identified and a hierarchical pathway for mental health promotion using international, national, community and individual resources as its subsystems is outlined.

The provision of psychotherapy: an international comparison

S. Priebe and D. Wright

Journal of Public Mental Health, vol.5, Sept.2006, p.12-22

This paper assesses and compares the provision of psychotherapy for adults in a number of European and non-European countries. Findings suggest that psychotherapy that is free at the point of use is more widely available in other EU countries than in England. They also show that current plans for psychotherapy services in England differ from those being provided in most other countries. The differences include lack of statutory accreditation rules and lower qualification thresholds for psychotherapists, the concept of treatment centres, the low number of sessions and the regular assessment of outcomes.

When equality is not really equal: affirmative action and consumer participation

B. Happell and C. Roper

Journal of Public Mental Health, vol.5, Sept. 2006, p.6-11

Consumer participation in mental health service planning is now required by Australian government policy. The authors argue that genuine consumer participation will not happen without affirmative action. Consumers are at a disadvantage relative to mental health professionals when attempting to influence mental health service development. Professionals have access to resources not available to consumers such as learned societies, conferences and scholarly journals. Resources need to be provided to bridge this gap.